The Gathering Storm: Secularism, Culture, and the Church

Reviewed by:

G. Connor Salter, Professional Writing alumnus from Taylor University, Upland, IN.

Title:

The Gathering Storm: Secularism, Culture, and the Church

Author:

Dr. R. Albert Mohler, Jr.

Publisher:

Thomas Nelson

Publication Date:

June 2, 2020

Format:

Hardcover

Length:

240 pages

OVERVIEW

Western culture has been moving towards a secular view of life for a very long time. The process arguably began with the French Revolution and the Deist movements of the 1700s, and today many European countries are filled with empty churches and anti-Christian views on sex, marriage and parenting. Dr. Albert Mohler, current president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, argues that America is heading in very much the same direction. He describes the general secular shift which is affecting America as well as the rest of Western Civilization. Than he describes some key areas where secular thinking is advancing, pressuring people to change their views on:

• Human life
• Marriage
• Family
• Gender and sexuality
• Generational differences
• Driving forces of Culture
• Religious Liberty

These factors, Mohler argues, present a great challenge the American church needs to address.

Mohler explains in the introduction that he’s taken the title of this book from a quote by Winston Churchill, who spent many years talking to deaf ears about the incoming threat of Nazism. This metaphor is dramatic, but a bit of an odd choice. Christian conservatives have been talking about the rise of secularism at least since the 1980s, especially in the context of abortion and education debates. Various organizations have produced seminars, articles and books on how Christians should address this topic. So Mohler’s hardly a lone voice in this matter. The areas he critiques aren’t particularly new either. He cites new examples of secular ethics that weren’t around twenty years ago (such as the transgender child-rearing debate), but they’re really extensions of the same problems (liberal sexual ethics, attacks on the nuclear family) Christians have been talking about for over 40 years.

What sets Mohler apart from so many Christian pundits is he’s more thorough at laying out his arguments. Where other Christian writers use generalizations, Mohler uses direct quotes. Where other Christian writers cite biased blog posts, Mohler cites reputable news sources. In addition to all this, Mohler has a clear and well-developed writing style. Sadly, too many Christian books are written by verbal communicators who don’t know how to craft sentences that read well on the printed page. Mohler’s writing itself sets him head and shoulders over many “culture warriors” writing about the secular shift. All of these factors make The Gathering Storm a great resource on its chosen topic, even if the stated theme is a bit exaggerated for effect.

A fascinating book on a difficult but important topic.

ASSESSMENT

Rating (1 to 5 stars)

4.5 stars

Suggested Audience

Christians interested in topical books on secular philosophy in America and its dangers.

Christian Impact

Mohler appeals to an orthodox view of Christianity throughout the book, helping readers to understand how destructive secularism is.